Pages

Monday, November 16, 2015

The Greatest Table

Back in 1994, I discovered a
wonderful children’s book called The
Greatest Table: A Banquet to Fight Hunger.
Printed on one side of a continuous sheet of paper, it folds into itself
like an accordion and creates an amazing book.

Sixteen children’s book authors
collaborated with the charitable group Share
our Strength. The money raised by the sales of this book went to fight
hunger in America. Each artist interpreted what “the greatest table” meant for
them and the editor Michael J. Rosen arranged it into a unique treasure.

Because I could not presume that
all of my middle school students would be celebrating a traditional
Thanksgiving dinner - nothing like those idealized and elaborate feasts one
sees on television - I used this book to demonstrate that we each celebrate
differently and to different degrees.

In the book people of all
cultures and ethnicities sit around different tables; some are seated on mats
or blankets. Some are indoors; some are
outdoors. Single souls or whole crowds, everyone is grateful for what they
have. Some pages show two parents; others show several generations, but others
have only one parent or none. On some pages groups of children sit
together. They might be siblings or they
might be friends.

The food varies and not one page
has the traditional American turkey and dressing menu. Soups, fruits, and breads are served.
Everything looks inviting.

There is no one definition for
what makes “the greatest table,” except for one thing – the invitation to share. Throughout the book, the message is
clear. The greatest table is one in
which we share what we have with others.

With Thanksgiving approaching
soon, we are all reminded that the day is to show our gratitude, and what
better way than to share our bounty with others.